clearheaded

American  

[kleer-hed-id] / ˈklɪərˈhɛd ɪd /

adjective

1. having or showing an alert mind.

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Other Word Forms

• clearheadedness
  noun
• clearheadedly
  adverb

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Etymology

Origin of clearheaded

First recorded in 1700–10; clear + head ( def. ) + -ed ³ ( def. )

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Explanation

If you're clearheaded, you're wide awake, focused, and thinking sensibly. A clearheaded student will probably do better on a calculus test than her sleepy, confused classmate. Complex thought and analysis ideally requires a clearheaded thinker — and you can also describe the thinking and decisions themselves as clearheaded. A clearheaded debate between political candidates is much more useful and interesting than a muddled, angry, and confusing argument. The word clearheaded, sometimes spelled with a hyphen, clear-headed, originated in the early 18th century.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

clearheaded

“They also understand mortality and are clearheaded about their diagnosis. Many have experience with death and dying” after watching a loved one decline.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 20, 2026

She says she hasn’t had a fall since, and feels more clearheaded.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 22, 2025

I profusely thanked them, but am glad my friend who was with me was more clearheaded and offered them a cash tip.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 7, 2024

But in 2015, Judge Nora S. Anderson of Surrogate’s Court rejected his claim and cited witnesses who said Mr. Brown had “remained clearheaded and firm-minded even through advanced age.”

From New York Times ● Oct. 11, 2022

Impatience is a fire that rages in clouded minds, and I needed to be clearheaded.

From "The Ugly One" by Leanne Statland Ellis

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